Stitched Up: DIY Snakeskin & Denim Skirt

Goodwill Alterations with Chanté Gibbs

Chanté is a local thrift blogger and sustainable designer. She is our inspiration and guide to exploring what can be done with some creative alterations and updates of thrifted finds. Each month she starts with a concept, shops our stores, and reworks her thrift finds into high-fashion pieces. She takes us on a thrift journey from start to finish, and it’s a great ride every month!

DIY Snakeskin Denim Skirt

Since I decided to upcycle jeans for this month’s Stitched Up, I went to the women’s denim section first. My goal was to find jeans that fit tight at the waist, baggy/loose in the pant legs, and contrasted well with a pattern shirt or fabric. After searching for a while, I found a pair of cute Hollister jeans that had the right fit and a nice denim wash.

Next, I needed to find an oversized shirt with an interesting pattern that complimented the pants. While I looked through the women’s tops, a brown button up with a pretty snakeskin pattern caught my attention. I loved the color story and the texture of the shirt. I felt like the button up would be perfect with these jeans.

How do I make it?

1. 1. On the jeans: First, I used my seam ripper to undo the crotch and inside leg seams of the jeans. Then I did the same thing to the seam under the zipper and above the back crotch.
   2. To find where to pin the pant legs together to form a skirt, I tried the pants back on. I started by laying the top front crotch seams flat over each other and pinned them together. Then I pinned the remaining front pant legs together all the way down.
   3. Once I had formed the front of my skirt (with pins), I overlapped the top back crotch seams and pinned them together as well. I pinned along the center back just like I did to the front.
   4. To prepare for the cutout, I seam ripped one of the outer pant leg seams halfway up, then marked a curve line with my chalk from the side of the skirt to the center bottom. I cut along that chalk line line and put that piece to the side for now.
   5. I sewed the front panels together, then the back panels, but not the side of the leg — that’s where I am adding the snakeskin pattern.
   6. On the snakeskin shirt: Next, I cut the sleeves and collar off of the snakeskin shirt.
   7. I laid the piece I had cut out of the denim skirt on top of the shirt and used it as a pattern to cut.
   8. I pinned the snakeskin piece to the side open seam of the skirt that I had left open and sewed it all together.
   9. Lastly, I tried the skirt on to see the finished look.